Spanish Ambassador Called in for Consultations

Spain's ambassador to Israel, Alvaro Iranzo, was called in to the Foreign Ministry Monday for a talk with officials in the wake of an interview given by Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez to a Spanish newspaper, in which he said that Madrid could support the PA's declaration of an Arab state at the UN in September. Iranzo met with Naor Gilon, head of the Foreign Ministry's European Division, who expressed israel's disappointment with the interview, considering the excellent bilateral relations between the two nations,” Gilon said in a statement.

Alvaro said that the statement had been taken out of context, and that Jiminez had meant that Spain would only support the PA's bid if it was phrased in a balanced way and addresses the need to resume negotiations between the parties, and maintain Israel's security. Without these parameters, Spain will not be able to support the request,” he said in a statement.